Angler Access and Infrastructure

KRSA works with the city of Soldotna, city of Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska State Parks, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest to provide for responsible angler access on public lands. Examples include:

Visitors Center Classic Fishwalk & Handicap Access - City of Soldotna

The Kenai River, with its prime access along the Sterling Highway, is easily the largest recreational sockeye salmon fishery in the world. The Classic Fishwalk at the Soldotna Visitor Center has proven very popular with bank anglers seeking to catch sockeye salmon.

The first public access fishwalk funded by KRSA in the 1990's, it provides responsible angler access in an area where the combination of a natural seep along the bank and impact from foot traffic had led annually to erosion and habitat degradation.

Through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), the Classic Fishwalk (2007 - 09) underwent complete renovations and upgrades to make it ADA compliant, further increasing its effectiveness as a popular fishing destination for all to enjoy. (Insert before and after photo - including a wheel chair fishermen).

Cunningham Park - City of Kenai

Working with the City of Kenai, KRSA provided funds to stabilize tidally influenced riparian habitat and renovate a popular bank fishery site on the lower Kenai River at Cunningham Park.

Morgan's Landing Handicap Access - Alaska State Parks

KRSA assisted with construction funding to Alaska State Parks for a handicap access fishing platform at Mile 31 of the Kenai River.

Jim's Landing & Russian River Ferry - Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, ADF&G and Alaska Flyfishers, KRSA funded rehabilitation and stabilization of the popular Jim's Landing haul-out spot for drifters and rafters at Mile 70 of the Upper Kenai River, within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), KRSA provided funding for a much-needed bank restoration project at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers that now provides this popular fishery with responsible angler access in a culturally sensitive area. Also funded was bank restoration and angler access project at the Russian River Ferry where years of angling activity had degraded important fish habitat.

These are just some of the habitat restoration and angler access projects that KRSA has work on over the years. We believe it is important to protect important fish habitat and provide for responsible angler access on the most popular sportfishing river in Alaska.